As a martial arts school owner, can I refuse service/membership to someone just because I don't like their personality?

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As a martial arts school owner, can I refuse service/membership to someone just because I don't like their personality?

Anonymous Aug 27, 2015 Business 2 views 3 answers

I know that I cannot refuse service for protected classes (disabled, sex, race, religion, nationality), but can I refuse service to someone for generic reasons: I don't like their personality, politics, attitude, etc? And what if they are a paying member - can I unilaterally cancel their contract, refund any prepayment (for future services), and tell them to never come back? Our contracts don't allow them to cancel just because they decided they don't like my personality, so I'm not sure if I can cancel because I don't like theirs. Do I need to refund all of their contracted charges (that is, including the months they paid before I kick them out)?

Lindsey Marie HansenSan Diego, CA · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:54:07+00:00

you have the right to refuse service... but once youve entered into a contract ... you cant refuse service or you will be in breach. at that point...you shouldve discovered personality conflicts prior to agreeing to do business.

William Popovich · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:54:07+00:00

You can refuse service, but you cannot refuse to honor a contract. Hopefully you wrote into your contract something giving you a right to cancel.

Todd Kotler · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:54:07+00:00

I agree with my colleagues that it really depends on the wording of your contract. It would seem to me that even if you could end the services you could only equitably keep the money for the service actually provided. (at least in Ohio)

As a martial arts school owner, can I refuse service/membership to someone just because I don't like their personality?

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